Welcome to our latest online newsletter.

  We begin our newsletter with the bad news that the next couple of weeks will see the closure of the Volunteer Centre in Lucan and the probable closure of the Volunteer Centre in Clondalkin. South Dublin County Volunteer Centre deeply regrets that monies/funding could not be found for these valuable local projects which require a relatively small amount of funding. The expertise and support that these projects brought to the community and voluntary sector will be very much missed in their respective communities. We wish the best of luck to both Una and Harold who managed these projects and who worked closely with the staff of South Dublin County Volunteer Centre on many occasions.

   Congratulations to staff members, Denise and Maria on the birth of their daughters Alannah and Robyn. Both mothers and daughers are doing well!!

   We recently facilitated a training session with Business in the Community on engaging coporate volunteers. 30 people attended training on the day in National Irish Bank and feedback was very positive. If you need any more advice and information on this area, please contact our training officer This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

  Training needs analysis
We are currently carrying out a training needs analysis for groups in the Dublin 24 area. You can help us ascertain the training needs of the local community by filling in our training needs analysis on line. Just click here. Alternatively you can contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and she will be happy to visit with you and fill in the questionnaire.

  Outreaches - If your community would like us to visit and do a volunteer promotion in your area, please contact Deirdre and we would be happy to oblige.

  The recent AGM of South Dublin County Volunteer Centre saw the election of Niamh O Doherty as our new chairperson. Many thanks to Carol Roe who served in this capacity for the last 5 years - we are delighted that Carol remains on the Board of South Dublin County Volunteer Centre. We also welcome Eilin deBuitleir from Banking 365 to the Board.

  Thanks in part to funding for DCRGA, SDCVC have presentation equipment available for Tallaght volunteer-involving organisations to borrow, free of charge including:
* Digital Projector (for PowerPoint, video etc)
* Front projection screen - pop up
* Portable OHP

Contact the office at 462 8558 or e-mail us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you wish to borrow any of these items and for a small demonstration.

Giving a helping hand through South Dublin County Volunteer Centre

My parents values, which they passed on to me, were all about giving something back to the community and the world you belong to. That is what led me to be part of the volunteers team.

I have participated in different volunteering activities since my arrival in the state, and in return I have gained a lot that empower and pave the way for my future dealings.

In addition, all these have given me a wonderful privilege for interacting with people from different backgrounds. I also see this as one of the ways of meeting and helping the people in community. My experience has helped a lot of friends who are willing and eager to help in their community.

Moreover, living for yourself may be pleasurable, but pleasure is not happiness. Happiness comes from a life with and for others within a framework of mutual responsibility.

As for me I love being part of people?s lives. If you are ready to get involved please contact
South Dublin County Volunteer Centre

01- 4628558

STEVE ROSS OMISORE (volunteer)

  If you find it in your heart to care for someone else, you will have succeeded.
  Maya Angelou


  We are what we repeatedly do.
  Aristotle

  If you want one year of prosperity,
grow grain.
If you want ten years of prosperity,
grow trees.
If you want one hundred years of prosperity,
grow people."
  Chinese Proverb

  The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not the hate them, but to be indifferent to them. That's the essence of inhumanity.
  George Bernard Shaw

Below are some of our newest volunteering opportunities to give you a flavour of some of the types of voluntary work that are available through South Dublin COunty Volunteer Centre. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Kevin or phone us at 462 8558

Irish Association for Spina Bifida & Hydrocephalus
(Ref 35/04)
The Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (IASBAH) was established for the care, welfare, interest, treatment, education, advancement and rehabilitation of persons born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, in Ireland. Every year, IASBAH runs a "Summer Independence Training Project" for its members. This project is like an overnight summer camp for teenagers and young people with the disabilities Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. The Project begins on the first Saturday of July and runs for five weeks until August. They are looking for volunteers to help the participants (as well as the nursing staff and occupational therapists) with day-to-day activities (which could include washing, dressing, toileting), and to make the week a fun and enjoyable one for all, taking part in the day trips and activities as required.For more information on this opportunity, contact South Dublin County Volunteer Centre.

Age Action Ireland Ltd.
(Ref 42/04)
Age Action Ireland is a national non-governmental organisation concerned with ageing and older people, acting as a network of organisations and individuals including older people and carers of older people and as a development agency promoting better policies and services for older people and an ageing society. They are looking for volunteers who would be trained up as information officers, to man their busy information service on older people's issues and services throughout Ireland. For more information on this opportunity, contact South Dublin County Volunteer Centre.

Chernobyl Children's Cancer Care Alliance
(Ref 61/04)
The Chernobyl Children?s Cancer Care Alliance aims to provide humanitarian aid/cancer relief to the young victims of Chernobyl, Belarus.
They are travelling to Belarus at the end of August to bring aid and also to bring back some children for a holiday in Tallaght. They are a non-profit making organisation and are completely funded through fundraising. They are looking for volunteers who would get involved with fundraising, so that they can finance this worthy expedition. For more information on this opportunity, contact South Dublin County Volunteer Centre.

Ever Thought of Disability and Volunteering?

A Practical Checklist for organisations involving people with disabilities as volunteers

Actively encourage people with disabilities to volunteer through targeted promotion, and the use of appealing recruitment campaigns.

Overcome physical barriers to involving volunteers, eg buildings, transport, information, equipment, to be more accessible to every form of disability.

Be creative, and develop volunteering opportunities which can be carried out by people with disabilities.

Allow for flexible volunteering opportunities.

Train staff and volunteers in equal opportunities and disability awareness, so that myths and stereotyping do not lead to negative attitudes, or assumptions about what people can and cannot do.

Meet volunteers? needs and match them to tasks.

Make support available on an ongoing basis to the volunteers.

Pay out-of-pocket expenses, and give clear information around volunteering when on welfare benefits, so that fear of losing benefits does not become a barrier to volunteering.

Ask staff to remember that the person is a person first - the disability is second.

Follow good practice in the management of volunteers in all instances, eg volunteer policy, recruitment and selection, induction, training, support and supervision.

Have fully operational equal opportunities policies which encourage people with disabilities to volunteer, and to be involved effectively.

Reprinted with permission of
The Volunteer Development Agency

South Dublin County Volunteer Centre
512 Main Street
Tallaght
Dublin 24
Tel: +353 1 4628558
Fax: +353 1 4628384
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web page: www.volunteersouthdublin.ie

Manager: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Placement Officer: Kevin Clancy

Training Officer: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it